L’Oréal is contending with a group of six class action lawsuits related to their acne treatments, including CeraVe, which are accused of containing benzene—a known carcinogen. Plaintiffs argue that the levels of benzene in these products greatly surpass what is deemed safe by federal guidelines, igniting significant health concerns.
A catalyst for these legal actions was a report released in March 2024 by Valisure, an independent testing lab, which pinpointed benzene contamination in several acne treatment brands such as CeraVe, ProActive, and Clinique. The ingredient benzoyl peroxide, commonly found in acne products, has been highlighted for its potential to react and produce benzene—a chemical linked to various cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.
In a previous attempt to bring together similar lawsuits back in August 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) declined consolidation due to the wide range of products and their manufacturers. However, a new motion submitted in late November seeks to consolidate cases specifically targeting L’Oréal in the District of Hawaii. The outcome could significantly influence the direction and outcomes of these legal disputes.
Given benzoyl peroxide’s prevalence in acne treatment regimens, these accusations against L’Oréal could lead to broader discussions on regulatory standards and consumer confidence within the skincare industry as a whole.